Positive role model for young men - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Jeffery Wallace doesn't take the role of stepfather lightly.

When Wallace was a kid, his father wasn't in the picture. But Reverend Malachi Walker and his organization Young Men Inc. was.

"He's just pushed for excellence from me. He's been a father figure, a mentor a spiritual leader, friend," explained Wallace.

Walker was also that positive male figure that was lacking in Wallace's life. Someone who practiced what he preached, Wallace now hopes to pass along to his stepson.

"Hopefully I can lead by example and I am gonna be there for him," said Wallace

Walkers influence has changed the course of life for Danny Granger who is also now a dad himself.

"He has been an anchor in my life. Someone who I could look up to someone who I could emulate," said Granger.

Then there's Brandon Cole, also raised by a single mom. He came to Walkers summer camp as an 11-year-old boy.

"I had to stay on him a lot," said Walker.

"I was a little bit of a challenge attitude problem," admits Cole.

Now a career military man working as an air traffic controller, he too is a husband and a father.

"I come back every year just to give back. I mean I don't know where I would be without this program," said Cole.

"Starting at the age of 9-10-years-old I watched these boys grow up and become men themselves,  start families and go get jobs. And that's the blessing behind what I do" said Walker.

Walker says he hasn't reinvented the wheel, he just teaches the basics.

"Respect yourself is number one because it will help you to learn how to respect others" said Walker.

Most importantly, Walker was and continues to be present for these men. He says giving that time and love is what makes a man a father.

Over the past 18 years Young Men Inc. has mentored thousands of young men but this summer the program has lost funding from the city. Fundraising efforts are currently underway to keep the program going this summer.